NBA 2K8 Review

2K Sports has the best basketball game on the planet.

Posted by Robert Workman on Thursday, October 04, 2007

Visual Concepts knows how to make a great basketball game. Of course, it's been producing them for years, starting way back on the Sega Dreamcast and eventually moving on to more complex game machines. However, this year's NBA 2K8 feels like its most complete basketball experience yet, a game that just misses being a perfect digital recreation of the sport.

First off, the 24/7 mode has been done away with. However, before you write that letter of complaint, be sure to check out its replacement, the NBA Blacktop mode. Here you take part in a number of all-star activities. The dunk contest in particular deserves attention, if only because it's done so damn well. Set up props, go for a stylish approach (you have the option to rebound the ball to yourself off the backboard ala Tracy McGrady) and finally, get the dunk with the help of a multi-directional analog stick push or twirl and trigger executions. It takes practice -- lots of practice, in fact, since there's no visual demonstration -- but once you get the hang of it, it's a blast. Three-point shoot-outs and pick-up games are also available, playable both off-line with friends and through Xbox Live and the PlayStation Network.

Those who prefer the simulation side of the sport should check out the game's Association Mode. You have to struggle with all kinds of difficulties -- annoying owners, players with unique personalities, etc. -- upon building the next great NBA Dynasty. Scouting players, courting free agency, associating "labels" to particular players depending on their approach to the game and other small things really play a part here, as you feel every aspect of control from behind the scenes. If you're a casual player, you may want to stick with Season or Playoffs mode instead, as Association demands a whole lot of time and confident decisions to make something click. If you're eager to learn the aspect of the creation of the ultimate team, though, get your shoes on and hit the court. You'll love it here -- especially the online draft, where you'll compete with others for free agents. Aside from these four modes, 2K8 also provides a fun Rookie Challenge straight out of the All-Star Weekend, a helpful Practice mode and a Situation mode, where you set up positions, time-outs and such to customize the ultimate comeback win.

In terms of gameplay, a 2K game has never felt smoother, though 2K8 still has minor issues that hamper the experience. Sometimes a player will shoot a blown lay-up, even outside of traffic, and miss it completely or take a shot so bad that even the announcers will wonder what the hell he was doing. Furthermore, the artificial intelligence will occasionally become superhuman, nailing an otherwise impossible shot or forcing a player into a "trap", where an intercept is more than likely.

Other than that, the game plays damn near perfectly. The addition of Signature Style really lets you put a personal touch on the game, as you can customize dunks and moves that are more your speed. Better yet, the transition between movements shows significant improvement. A player goes from a defensive stance with a defender on his back into a rim-rattling dunk without going through a misplaced animation or a "how did he skip through time" moment. The defense is right on the money, although skillful players like Kobe and Steve Nash still dominate the paint. Offensively, the game shows improvement with post-play (for better scoring opportunities) and Off-Ball Control, which makes it simple to call for alley-oops in the zone. Combined with the already excellent engine from last year's release, it just makes the 2K basketball experience feel more complete.

Although it still needs work in some areas, Visual Concepts has the presentation nailed down pat for the third year in a row. The players look fantastic, with finer attention to transition animations and superb details, like Carmelo's cornrows and Baron Davis' ultra-thick beard. Even smaller things, like quick high-fives on the court or the occasional brush with a defensive player, are quite noticeable. Arenas play a huge part in the game as well, with lively crowds, perfect lighting effects (the shadows and glimmer off the wood floors are insanely close to the real deal) and glowing electronic billboards. Some characters look better than others, though. The coaches, for instance, resemble plastic dolls rather than actual people.

NBA 2K8 also features a terrific replay system and dozens of camera options. That's right, dozens. We recommend the 2K classic option, though. That works best as you keep your eye on the entire court while it zooms in for those key moments in the paint. The constant news ticker that runs at the bottom of the screen is great, too, showing news from the real sports world any way you customize it.

The game's commentary deserves praise as well -- it continues to be amongst the best ever. This year's chatter is just as good as it's ever been, with Kevin Harlan and Kenny Smith actually giving a damn about what happens on the court. As a dunk comes out of nowhere, both men won't hesitate to go "Ohhhhh!", like it's the sickest thing they've ever witnessed. They also notice the rhythm of players, like when someone's on fire or taking bad shots. The other audio effects in the game are dead-on, such as crowd reactions, arena music and other small things like dribble effects and squeaking sneakers.

Finally, online play through Xbox Live and the PlayStation Network ties all this together. Multiple tournaments, roster updates, 30-man leagues, pick-up games and Blacktop events are all available, even though the online lobby menu system takes some time to get used to. Occasionally, you'll run into a cocky player, but that's the beauty of online competition. It makes it that much sweeter when you stuff a ball in his face and yell, "HAVE SOME OF THAT!"

Between the superb presentation, the impeccably deep Association mode, the enjoyable gameplay and the multiple online and off-line modes, NBA 2K8 nails the NBA experience better than anything available on the market.



Final Score: 9/10